Government puts Anantnag–Bijbehara–Mattan draft master plan in public domain

Srinagar, Nov. 13: The long-delayed draft Master Plan for Anantnag and the adjoining historic towns of Bijbehara and Mattan has been released for public review, with residents and stakeholders given 60 days to submit suggestions or objections.

Prepared by the Town Planning Organisation, Kashmir (TPOK), the GIS-based Master Plan and Land Use Plan 2044 outlines zoning regulations, infrastructure priorities, environmental safeguards, and development guidelines for the fast-growing urban cluster.

The draft has been uploaded on the Anantnag district website, anantnag.nic.in, for public scrutiny.

According to a public notice issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, the plan “proposes land use, zoning, infrastructure, buffer and related measures that have direct bearing on property rights, development prospects and public amenities within the area covered by the plan.”

“In the interest of transparency and public participation, and to ensure that the plan is responsive to local needs, we are inviting comments and objections within 60 days from publication,” the notice reads.

It said, submissions can be made through the online suggestion box on the district website, via email at anantnag@nic.in, or through the link provided in the notice.

“Respondents are required to include their name, contact details, and the specific section of the plan they are addressing.”

The draft’s publication marks the near end of a decade-long effort to frame a structured development roadmap for Anantnag, the largest town in Kashmir.

An earlier in-house draft prepared in 2014 was discarded for not meeting planning standards, while a 2017 attempt also failed to move forward.

In 2020, consultancy firm MS Institute for Spatial Planning and Environment Research (ISPER), Panchkula, was hired under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, but the process stalled due to funding constraints.

Finally, as the statutory document was outsourced to KSS-ISPER, which has now come up with this draft.

Officials said the absence of a master plan has resulted in unregulated urban sprawl across Anantnag, leading to traffic congestion, encroachments, and the loss of open spaces.

“Anantnag has grown haphazardly over the years, and we need a holistic plan that prioritises transport and public utilities rather than just construction,” said a senior town planner.

With a population density of around 1,250 people per square kilometre, Anantnag is among the most densely populated towns in Kashmir. Neighbouring Bijbehara—known as Chinar Town for its heritage trees and Mattan (Martand), an ancient settlement known for its historic ruins- face similar challenges of congestion and unplanned growth.

The administration said all objections and suggestions received within the 60-day review period will be examined under the J&K Development Act, 1970, and the Development Authority Rules, 1976. Any further consultations or public hearings, if required, will be notified separately.